Books
Departure(s) by Julian Barnes review – a swan song of wit and grace

Departure(s) by Julian Barnes review – a swan song of wit and grace
Top 5 atmospheric thrillers, chosen by journalist, critic and novelist Thrity Umrigar

Top 5 atmospheric thrillers, chosen by journalist, critic and novelist Thrity Umrigar
Flat Earth by Anika Jade Levy review – the state we’re in

Flat Earth by Anika Jade Levy review – the state we’re in
Bad Language by So Mayer review – explorations of the ways words are used to control us 

Bad Language by So Mayer review – explorations of the ways words are used to control us
H is for Hawk author Helen Macdonald: ‘I felt like a ghost watching the film of myself’

H is for Hawk author Helen Macdonald: ‘I felt like a ghost watching the film of myself’
Top 5 comedy books, chosen by author and screenwriter James Alistair Henry 

Top 5 comedy books, chosen by author and screenwriter James Alistair Henry
H is for Hawk star Claire Foy: ‘I don’t know why we don’t talk about grief more’

H is for Hawk star Claire Foy: ‘I don’t know why we don’t talk about grief more’
Looking Down at the Stars by Christina Riley review – sumptuous and beautiful nature writing

Looking Down at the Stars by Christina Riley review – sumptuous and beautiful nature writing
40 years on, was Live Aid all for nothing? Or can we still be heroes?

40 years on, was Live Aid all for nothing? Or can we still be heroes?
Top 5 graphic novels, chosen by author and illustrator Beccy Blake

Top 5 graphic novels, chosen by author and illustrator Beccy Blake
Ringo: A Fab Life by Tom Doyle review – Starr treatment

Ringo: A Fab Life by Tom Doyle review – Starr treatment
A Mind of My Own by Kathy Burke review – frank, funny and wise

A Mind of My Own by Kathy Burke review – frank, funny and wise
David Bowie’s late revival was heroic, in a very English way

David Bowie’s late revival was heroic, in a very English way
Top 5 female poets chosen by author, anthologist and editor Fiona Waters

Top 5 female poets chosen by author, anthologist and editor Fiona Waters
Bad Bad Girl by Gish Jen review – a redemptive portrait of motherhood

Bad Bad Girl by Gish Jen review – a redemptive portrait of motherhood
Read Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s new Christmas story, created especially for Big Issue

Read Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s new Christmas story, created especially for Big Issue
The ultimate guide to the best books of 2025 – as chosen by Big Issue critics

The ultimate guide to the best books of 2025 – as chosen by Big Issue critics
Quartet for the End of Time by Michael Symmons Roberts named Big Issue’s book of the year for 2025


